Re: Handheld Techniques

There's no reason not to be on a tripod for the toasts. And nothing handheld beats the look of a tripod- steadied shot for looking better than uncle Joe's camcorder footage. Everyone is seated, you can pick a spot by a pillar or something and get a stable shot from a distance so as not to interfere with anybody's view. Just be sure you're tapped into the PA or plant some mics on the dais. You certainly can use a quick-release plate and pop it off the sticks immediately afterwards to work the room, I never saw a reception that moved so fast you couldn't do that.

If you really just can't do a tripod, then a good monopod is an excellent combination: gives you the real stability of a tripod on long telephoto shots, can be raised momentarily for "crane" shots above the crowd at receiving lines and during dances, and acts as a damper while moving hand-held. Look at the Lo-Pod for a monopod that is also a motion-stabilizer.

The Easy-rig may work great, so would a full-on steadicam arm, but I would not be caught dead wearing either at a wedding, too distracting and attention-grabbing for a job where you want as much as possible to be ignored so you can get good candids. Show me a tux and Easy Rig or steadicam combo that doesn't look ridiculous and obvious.